Poker machine reform and gambling taxes

Key Points:
Limits on poker machine use, and no clear signals on tax reform, mean uncertainty for the poker machine industry.

In return for Tasmanian Independent Andrew Wilkie's support for a Gillard Federal Government, it is reported that the Australian Labor Party has agreed to implement reforms to limit withdrawals from club ATMs and implement technology to stem uncontrolled poker machine use on every machine in the country by 2014.

This move, which has the club and hotel industry concerned, has been described in certain quarters as expensive and unlikely to reduce problem gambling. With no exact details as to the form of the legislation, uncertainty remains in the industry as to the impact of the proposed reforms.